Combined dishwashing machine and disposal unit



Aug- 13, 1957 E. c. I Evrr 2,802,477

COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE AND DISPOSAL UNIT )Z-l In Ver.' fr* Aug. 13, 1957 E. c. LEvl'r l 2,302,477

COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE AND DISPOSAL UNIT Original Filed Sept. 9. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 13, 1957 E. c. LEvlT 2,802,477

COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE AND DISPOSAL UNIT Original Filed Sept. 9. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 13, 1957 E. c. L Evn COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE AND DISPOSAL UNIT Original Filed Sept. 9, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 E.' C. LEVlT Aug. 13,1957

COMBINED DIsHwAsHINc MACHINE AND DISPOSAL uNII 9 sheets-sheet 5 Original Filed Sepg. 9. 1954 Aug. 13, 1957 E c. Lr-:vn 2,802,477

COMBINED DI-SHWASHING MACHINE `AND `DISPOSAL UNIT Original Filed. Sept. 9. 1954 I' Y 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 E. C. LEVIT Aug. 13,1957

COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE AND DISPGSAL UNIT 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Original Filed Sept. 9. 1954 Hum 0 Zzrfa n fr @Me C fr/r Aug. 13, 1957 l E. c. I Evrr 2,802,477

COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE -AND DISPOSAL UNIT originan Filed` sept. 9. 1954 l v v e'sneets-sheet s v/fa ` .E27/En Tar Aug' 13, 1957 E. c. LEVI-r 2,802,477

y) COMBINED DISHWASHING MACHINE AND DISPOSAL UNIT Original Filed Sept. 9. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 1 nii-Inlin- ,nited States Patent-O "ice A* 2,802,417 t COMBINED 4DISHWASHNG MACHINE AN h j y 'A ADISPOSAL A Edward C. Levit, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to Whirlpool;-

Seeger Corporation, of Delaware t M `ApplicationMay 31, 1956,*,Serial`No 588,566, which is a continuation of application Serial No. 454,941', September9, 1954.m Divided and this application August Z9, 1956, Serial No. 610,041 A ,71s claims; (ci. 134-104) The present application istdivided-` out of my copending application, Serial No. 588,5 66, filed May 31, 1956, which was a vcontinuation of my copending application, Serial No. 454,941, filed September 9, 1954, nowv abandoned.

This invention relates to `a combined dishwashingmachine and waste disposal unit.

A principal object of my invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of dishwashing machine u and waste disposal unit arranged with a view toward `utmost efliciency in construction and operation.

A further object of my invention is -to provide a novel and improved construction and arrangement of dishwashing machine and waste disposal unit in a unitarycabinet together with a sink for the disposal unit, separate from the dishwashing machine and arranged to obviate the lnecessity of scraping the dishes prior to washing.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simpliedcform of combined dishwashing machine and waste disposal unit in which access to the dishwasher is through atfront opening door and laccess to the disposal unit` is :througha sink at the top of the dishwashing cabinet, vandv in which the drain from the dishwashing tub is through :the-disposal unit.

Another and important object of my invention isvto provide a dishwashing unit in which water and air are :circulated through the dishes by an impeller in the bottom of-the tub,-and in which the efficiency of air circulation i 2,802,477 p VPatented Aug, 13,1957

. Y Still anotherY object of niyinvention is to 'provided St. Joseph, Mich., a `corporation .i

Athrough the'dishes for drying is increased by providing an lair-circulating vane within the hollow interior of the 'irnpeller. t

-`A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved form of dishwashing machine having an air and water circulating impeller in the bottom of the tub for the dishwashing machine, enclosed by a screen forming a shroud for the impeller, in which the impeller circulates Iair and water through the dishes when rotating in' one ydirection and backwashes the screen whenrotating in a reverse direction.

` Still another object `of my invention is to provide an improved form of dishwashing machine in which an air and water circulating impeller enclosed by a screen is provided in the bottom of a tub and in which a reversible motoris provided to drive the impeller to effect the circulation `of air and water through the dishes when driven in one direction, and in which the motor when rotating in a reverse direction drives a pump to drain water from the-tub and drives the impeller in a direction to'backwash the screen and clean articles of food therefrom.`

Still another object of my invention is to providea novel and improved form of combined dishwasher and waste disposal unit in whichan impeller inthe bottom of the dishwashing tub is provided for circulating air and water `for washing the' dishes, and a waste disposal unit spaced horizontally from the impelleroutsideof the tub is prowaste, and in which the drain combined dishwasher Vand waste; disposal unit in which a disposal unit having a Ashredding'chanflher is mounted within a cabinet, and a sink opening to the top offthe cabinet has direct communicationwith the shredding harhber, and in which the dishwashing unitis carried"within` the cabinet for the wastedisposl unitand a single motor is provided for driving'tli impeller of the dish washing vunit when rotating in either direction vand the impeller of the disposal unitwhen 'rtatin'giti reverse directioi'r,` arid water is drainedV frotn" thefdishwas'her unitthrouglithe disposal unit when themotor is rotating in'a direction to drive the disposal unit, and: the drain; valve for Vv,the dishwasherunitisopenpY y f p t A further object of my inventionlis to provide, amore eiiicient form of dishwasher having `a disposal unit com'- bined therewith in which thedishwasher andy ldisposal units are contained in the same cabinet and the disposal unit has direct communication with ak sink opening to the top of the cabinet while the dishwasher unit drains through the shredding chamber of the disposal unit and the passageway from thedisposal unit to the sink forms a condenser for vapor from the dishwashing unit.

' Still another'object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved disposal u'nit particularly adapted for a combined dishwasher and garbagedisposal, in which the disposal unit has a shredding chamber having an opening at its top for waste food with a shredding impeller at the bottom of the shreddingchambenand in which the shred'- ding chamberV has anopening through the wall thereoffor communication withthe tub' of a dishwashing unit,"for draining wastel water throughA the disposal unit; u Still another object oil mylinvention is to provide `a waste vdisposal uniti particularly adapted for use with a dishwasher and having afshredding'chamber having an` opening in its top fdr waste vfood, witha shredding irn- Vpeller'at the bottom `offthfefchamber, and apumping chamber forming a downward Lcontinuationyof theshredding chamber, inwhich the shredding chamber hasfan opening in the wall thereof: for connectionfwith thegtub' ofa; dishwasher and the shredding'j impellerhaspumping EYanes thereon for pumpingwastet from thashreddingchamber, and waterfrom the tub "of the dishwashing machine when the drain valve therefor is open. f't

vA further object of* y invention is to provide a waste disposal unit particularly adapted for` useV with a,dish washing machine, in which the waste disposal unit has a `shredding chamber 'with an opening `through the wall thereof and a shredding impeller at the bottornfof'the y shredding chamber andy in which the wall of the shredding chamber is so arranged on the inby side of thenopening therethrough to prevent comminuted food frorrijntering said opening during operation of saidshredding litripeller.v j A, `l` 1 These and other objects ofgmyginventi'on will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the' accompanying drawings wheremz' g "i Figure l is a top plan View ofa combined dishwasher and waste disposalu'nit constructed in accordance with my invention, showing` the cover for the sink for the waste disposal unit closed; l 1" 1 v Figure 2 is a view somewhat similar 'to Figure 1 but showing the covei` Vfor the sink for they waste disposal unit open and showing` the water spray for supplying water to the disposal sink; `V1 g t' Figure 3 is Aa view in side elevation of the dishwashing and wastedisposal unit shownin'Figuresl and 2;*l

FigureA is a front end lview of` the dishwashing machine andwaste d isposalgunit showing the cover for the disposal sink openyf 1 .p l f Flellfe V teja ,eeetieeel .View teken substantially .elee line V-V of Figure 3, showing the door and its latching mechanism in vertical section, and also showing the waste di it Pre aie e 'vertical Seefienel View teken Substantially g line -VI-VI ,of Figure 1;

i ,thebottom ofthe dishwashingtubfand the drainthere iremfee Well as' elle duet te. the 'depeeelnaits Y Figure v8 is ya horizontal sectional .'view taken through ilse. s ereeeeneleslegthe dishwashing impeller;

` Figure llis a vertical sectional view taken .substantially Figure 12 is .a .detail horizontal .sectional view showing Ythe V oi/erruiining dfiveeonnection to the disposal impeller;

Fi-gurel3 a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken Vthrough the drain valve from the dishwashing tub;

VLFigure 141s a vertical sectional view taken .through the ydisposal unit and showing the drain'frornthe dishwashing sink entering the wall -of the shredding chamber;

Figure is a sectional view .taken substantially along yline XXP-XV of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a horizontal sectional View Vtaken substantially along line XVI- XVI of Figure l5; and

vFig'iire l17V is va horizontal sectional view taken substantillyalong line XVII- XVII .of Figure 15.

Inthe' ernliodirnent `of my invention illustrated in the dllwings, f have `shown generallyinFigui-es 1V through 4 a combinedidishwashing machine andwaste disposal unit comprising a cabinet 10 havinga'front opening door `1 1l for'the dishwashing unit,.altop 12, shown as being made offwood to provide a work surface, but which 'may .be inade fof steel coated with enamel or porcelain or'a'ny Aothvr .desired material.

sink'lS .foradispos'al unitf16'(see Figures 1,2, and 9) fivs recessed4 B ,neath'zthe i top and has an .upwardly Op. 'ng cloverl .substantially with .the top .12, V and when vn otin use.. Y Y

` hThe cover 17 is *shown asr having a spray nozzle `19 ,extending .thereacrossandlconnected with v a water inlet, washin'g'food down Vfa duct.20 havingc'ommunication ,atiits leve-.erd with tliedieeeeeluif :le The-Safely .may beleentrelle'dby', e valve (not Shown) yeneretel by @peeing lrngovement .of the. cover 1 7, `t o turn the .spray onas the .einer .epeeedlenil le; elle? ell .the lleW-efvelef :tothe spray when thecover is closed. The vsink .is .also-'shown as having :a 4bumper 21 .extending ,thelrfearouijid.' 'The bumper-21 maybe made from` resilientmaterialsuchas rubber or'thelike and may Aserve as a bumper for Vthe fliehen .eevtlleflielaee-meybe.banned lliereasainsf teeause food 4to drop therefroin-.into :the site/ 15,V to be'washed 'down to yfthe4 disposal unit` 1 6.

The top of the cabinet 10 is also shown as having an ,.upvvardlyvandrearwartdly inclined `panel ZZextcnding upwardly lllereflref elengwl-llefbfaelethereef and; famine a I-Llllolllllirlg for eeutrels 23, Y,eOiltrqlling Y .operation .of the dishwashing machine and disposal unit. The .controls 23 may be Cyclically operated `controls for ,operating the disposal unit and dishwashingmachine 'in l a .predetermined p cycle .and .are vnot hereini shown or described, :since they form no part of my present invention;

Within-the cabinet 10isa tub-24 fora dishwashingmaof the cabinet, and a bottom 29 sloping downwardly yto a sal L.unit in thepbottomnonf thecabinetogether Ywith gurefT-.is a horizontalwsectional view taken sub- Y aeoaeee' drain opening 30 at oneside of the center of the tub. The

bottom 29 'is'v also shown as havingv a standpipe or sleeve 31 Aextending'upwardly therefrom in the center thereof and forming a conduit for drawing air intothe tub 24 from beneath the bottom of theicalint, by thevoperation of an impeller 33, for drying the dishes.

The impeller 33 is 'sl'lown as being encircled or enclosed by a generally cylindrical screen 34 of a corrugated forni in cross section and shown as having a generally Aiiatvtopv '35. The screen 34 and its top y35 form, in eff e c t,';a shioud enclosing the impeller 33, vfor directing thetlow of airand water upwardly through vertically spaced dish jraclcs 37 and. 3S and the dishes therein, Aandalso yserve toprevent silverware or smallfdishes from dropping ontothe im- J peller.

of n/ire baskets for containingthe dishes and glasses during washing and are of a well known form, s o need not herein be described in detail.

The dish rack 37 is provided with spaced rollers 4 0, l1 0 adjacent the bottom thereof winchv are adapted yto ride along a track 41, extending inwardly from side wa1ls 28, Z8 of the -dishwashing vtub 24.

The d ish rack 38 is'shown in Figure 6 as havinga rail .47 depending therefromand extending along each side thereof. Each rail 47 is shown as having a rear support portion .49, for :a roller 5 1, extending a slight distance upwardlyfrom the upper margin thereof and inclined'in- -wardly and forming la mounting for a pin 5 0 having the roller T51 mounted thereon. The pin 50 may be riveted to the projecting end portion 49 and may have a head `at its outer end to retain the roller 51` thereto. A spacingcollar 5;3 is shown asV spacing the roller outWaldly from thefsup Iport portionV 49. The roller 51 is shown in Figure -9 as riding within a channel like track y54. The tracks54, `5 4 l'are mounted onv and extend along and inwardly; from-opposite walls 28, 28 of the dishwashing tub 24. The-mack 47 is also shown as having an outwardly. turned downwardly `facing channel-like extension extending vfrom the upper end thereof for fitting within the channel of thetrack 54 and riding @Pen e feller v56 at the Outer end Vthereof, supporting theforward lend portion of the rail 47 when v.tliledoor 1 1s closed.

The door l1 isshewn -inFisures 5, 6, 7 and 1l asbeilig ferme@ from e generally reelenellle euterpaHel lOLhaving an inturned flange 61 extending around the periphery thereof andvtting over a corresponding flange 63 pf an innerl panel .64.

The inner panel 64 is shown as having a reces s, 65 formed therein and conforming generally to .the vform of the lower dish rack 37 to accommodate the rack tovextend .and construction, and, is yno partofnly. present invention so need .not herein be shown or describeldlfurthen The door .11 is shown as being pivtjitally'mountedV on `two spaced .hingeysupports 71, 71 on pivotpins 7 3, 73. VThe hinge supports 71, 71 areshown as'beingmounted von and extending upwardly from inwardly extending'flanges 74 and 75 respectively extending inwardly from lopijiosite side walls-of the-cabinet, beneath the bottom of thetub 29. The hinge supports 71, 71, as herein shown, extend upwardly through a flange 76 extending along the 4front 'of the cabinet beneath the door 11 Iand within a downwardly opening slotted portion in each side of the door 11 `into a channe1'7 7, secured to the rear panel 64 ofthe door and extending upwardly therealong. The hinge `pins 73, 73 are shown as being mounted in opposite legs of the channel and Ias extending` through the .hinge supports 71, 71. f t t -Counterbalancing springs 79, 79 are provided to bias the door in a closed position and to hold the door open when off-center with respect tothe hinge pinsf73, 73. As herein shown, each spring 79 is connected at its lower end to an ear 80 extending inwardly fromva side `wall of -the cabinet.

The opposite end of the spring 79 is connected to a depending arm 81 of a crank 83; ,The crank 83 extends outwardly from thev depending Iarm 81v toward the hinge pin 73 and thence extends upwardly within the channel 77 `and is secured thereto as by nuts and bolts'84, 84..' The springs 79, 79 thus bias the door toa closed position, and when the door is fully open are positioned olf-center with respect to the hinge pins 73, 73 by the arms 81, 81 to hold the door open for loading the dish racks with dishes to be Washed. f

The door 11 is latched closed by suitable latching bars 85, 85 guided between the panels 60 and 64 and operated by a door handle 86 on the outer end of a shaft 87 journaled in the space between the panels 60 and 64 (see Figures and 6). The shaft 87 is shown as having a lever arm 88 secured thereto intermediate its ends, towhich are pivoted links 89, 89 pivotally connected to the latching bars 85, 85 to move the latching bars ina released direction, to be released from keepers 90, 90 upon operation `of the handle 86, in an obvious manner. The latching bars 85, 85 lare biased in a release direction bytension springs 91, 91. t

The dishwashing impeller 33 is shown in Figure 6 as being coaxial with a shaft 93 of a motor 95 and as being driven therefrom through a coupling sleeve 96which also forms a support for said impeller. The motor 95 may be a well known form of electric motor and is shown as being mounted on a base plate 97 on spacer sleeves 99, through which extend bolts 100, 100 which may be threaded within the motor casing. The base 97 is also shown in Figure 10 as forming a support for the disposal unit 16. The base 97 is supported in vertically spaced relation with respect to a bottom 101 of the cabinet 10 on pedestals 103, 103. The pedestals 103, 103 may have resilient bases indicated generally by reference character 104 and made from rubber an elastomer or the like, to damp vibrationof the motor 95. v l i The opposite end Iof the `motor shaft 93 from the impeller 33 projects downwardly beneath the base 97 land has an overrunning clutch 105 thereon. Tthe overrunning clutch 105 `as shown in Figure 12 is of a well known form, including a drive member 104 on the shaft 93 and having cooperating cam faces 106 and drive rollers 107 engaged by said carnfaces with the inner periphery of a casing 108 for the clutch, to drive the casing when the motor is rotating in one direction, and to free the casing when the motor is rotating in an opposite direction. The casing 108 of the overrunning clutch 105 is grooved at its periphery to form a pulley 109 having a belt 110 trained thereabout. The belt 110 has driving connection with a pulley 111 on the lower end of a shaft 112 of the disposal unit 16. rThe shaft 112 has an impeller 113 of the disposal unit 16 on its upper end for driving said impeller upon rotation of the motorin one direction, which in the present invention is a direction opposite to the direction required to drive the impeller 33 in a dishwashing direction.

The impeller 33 is shown in Figure 6 as having a hollow hub 115 of a dome-like form, mounted on the coupling 96 lforming an upward continuationof the motor shaft 93.` The impeller 33` is secured to the'motor shaft'as by a `through bolt 116 yextending through ,the top of the vdome of the hub through the coupling sleeve 96 and threaded within the end of the motor shaft 93.

. Within the hollow interior'of thelhub 115 at the-discharge end of the standpipe 31 is anair impelling vane 117. The air impelling vane 117 thus `serves to draw air `up through the standpipe 31 and discharge it through the bottom of the impeller during the drying operation. During the` washingoperation the level of the water in the Y circulating blades 120 spaced around the hub 115. The

blades are shown in Figure 6 as being inclined upwardly from said hub and as extending downwardly along said hub from the top of the domethereof to the bottom thereof in a spiral path in the direction of rotation of said hub, to draw water upwardly through the shroudv and screen 34 and 35 onto the dishes in the dishracks '37 and 38 during washing and to force air drawn upwardly through the shroud by the impelling vane 117 upwardly over the dishes during drying.

The impeller 33, except for the internal air circulating vane 117, is therefore of a conventional construction,

' and when a body of cleansing liquid is placed in the tub 29, the impeller blades 120, 120 will engage and hurl this liquid upwardly through the screen35 over the surfaces ofthe dishes, glasses, silverware andfother utensilsplaced inthe-racks 37 and 38. This action continuesasv long as the impeller is operated and as` long as `the body of liquidis retained `in the tub. w l

The drain 30 leads to a vertically extending valveibody 123 of a vdrain valve 124. The drain valve 124 is shown in vFigure 13 as being operated by a solenoid 125 having an armature 126 extensible therefrom. As` 'shown in Figure 13, the drain `opens directly intothe verticallyex# tending body 123 of the valve. The valve body .123 has an angularly extending outlet extending outwardly from the wall thereof. A valve member4 129 is slidably moved along the valve body into position to engage an annular set at the upper end portion `of said valve body,to close the valve. The valve member` 129 is shown as being pivoted to the upper `end of a `valvestem 131 ona pivot pin 133. The valve stem 131 is slidablymounted in a bottom end cap 132 for the valve body, and has a slotted operating lever 134 connected thereto, as bya pivot pin 135. The opposite end of the lever 134 from the pivot pin 135 is pivotally connected to` a rigid depending arm 136 as by a pivot pin `137. A leaf spring 139 connected between the arm `136 and the lever arm134 is provided to bias the valve `member 129 into an openk vwith the lever arm 134, to pivot the same in a valve closing direction upon energization of thesolenoid. It will be noted that when the valve is in its open position shown in Figure 13, that a free passageway for water is `provided through the outlet 127, which is uninterrupted by the partsof the valve.

The outlet 127 from the valve is shown as having la; ilexible conduit 143 connected thereto.' The exible conduit 143 is shown as being secured to an integrally formed conduit 144 extending outwardly from a shredding chamber 145 of the disposal unit 16, intermediate the ends'of said chamber. It will be seen from Figure 14 that the conduit 144 opens directly through the wall of the shredding chamber 145, as indicated by reference character 146 in Figures 14and 15. 'The discharge from the dishwashing tub is thus directly through the shredding chamber 145 when the valve 124 is `in an open position.

The disposalunit 16 is shown in Figures 14'and 15 as ,includingy the shredding chamber 145 of af generally frusto-conical form and angularly offset to register its inlet with the discharge duct 20 leading from the sink 15 lassen-'rv `open end of theshredding chamber 145. A gasket 151 ts around the upper and outer. sides of the annular ange 149', and has-engagement with and rnay be sealed rt'othe.lovverend :portion 147` of -theduct 2.0 -to seal said duct lto lthe flange 149.4 The :dischargelop'ening -of the oilset conduit 150 extends within a "exible boot 15.3

:which :is connected thereto as by a clamping ring 154 having clamping engagement withsaid boot. The boot 153 Vextend-s around ,and is sealed tothe outer periphery of the-shredding chamber 145, as by a clamping Vring 155'.

:Sealedto the lower vfend of the shredding chamber' 145 .and extending downwardly .therefrom is 'a water and ground waste lcirculating or pumping chamber 156 (Figures 14 and l5). The-.pumpinglchamber 156 has a depending bearing Vsupport .portion 157 Vwithin which is Vjournaledthe .shaftllllzl-for the impeller 113. The shredding chamber y145 andrpumping chamber-156 have a plurality of c ircumferentially spaced outwardly extending connecting ears 159 and 160,` respectively, through which extend `b'oltsl161 for securing the liquid-'circulating chamberlfto the shreddingchamber 145. Suitable packing 163 is providedabetwee the twochambers .toV provide a liquidtight yjoint therebetween. The liquid circulating chamber :15,6 has an .upwardly facing shoulder V164 extending therearound adjacent the upper end thereof, within which is carriedashredding ring 165 on an annular shouldered packing member 166. The shredding ring `165v is herein shown as being of generally truste-conical form and as extending upwardly from the shoulder 164 along the shreddinglchamber 145 for a short portion of the length thereof. The shredding ring .165 is seated at its upper end in a.shouldered packing ring 167, seatedwithin a downwardly facingy shoulder 169 formed in the shredding chamber v145. i f The shredding ring 165 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced stepped delectors 170, 170 extending therearoundand'lpartially along lthe wall thereof. The steppeddeflectors 170,' 170 are shown as being of an. inverted formand converging toward Vthe lower end ofthe ring, and serve asldeflectors to deflect'the material being shreddedfdown on to the shredding impeller 113.

I Beneath thedeect-ors 17 0, 170 and-extending vertically `along the shredder ring 165 are la plurality of circumferentiallyspaced cuttinggrooves 171, 1=71 formed in theshredding ring 165 and opening to the bottom thereof. The .cuit-ing .grooves 117.1, 171 extend along a general-'ly .vert-ical wai-1 portion 17.2 offrire Shredder ring its,l andV gradually increase in cross-se`ctional area from the top ofV thebottom'thereof, lboth in `width and depth and co- Operate, with `cutting impellers `173 projecting upwardly along. the euttinggrooves 171, 17.1 and pivotallyV carried on ythe shredding' impeller 1113-, for shredding the `garbage upon Vrotation of said impelier. y

^ `'-llhe shredding impeller 113 is shown as being generally disk-like i-n form vhaving a substantiallyat top with a pluralityV of spaced impell-illg lugs 174 extending upwardly therefrom inwardly of the outer margins thereof. The shredding impeller 113-is also shown Vin Figures 14 and 1 5 asy having t-wo diametrically opposed slots 175, 1735 flor-med therein` and opening to the outer periphery thereof, forming recesses within which the impellin-g cutters Urlare pivotally mounted,

v Each cu lVirnpeller 173 is Vshown as `being pivoted u 7 5 on a transverse pivot pin 176. 'As here,- l pivot pin 176 i-s spaced towardy the outer side of theseutfting impeller 175 to provide a pivot point f ortlnentting impeller s o located that the weight of the i snot-17,5. Eachpurting impeller 1731v likewise has an inward-ly, extendinggstop 1727 abutting, a. shouldered eller will biasthe saine inwardly .toward the inner end `underportion l1"!9 ofthe slot 175,'to limit outward movement of the `impeller` The cuttingimpellers L73 have outer faces '180 extendingupwardly-along the cutting grooves 171 for a greater` portion of the length thereof and have inwardly extending peaked portions-shown a-s terminating at substantially thetops of the'cutting `grooves to impel the garbage outwardly to said lcutting grooves. Thusrtupon rotation ofthe shredding impeller 113, the cutting impellers 173 wil-l fly outwardly under centrifugal force to the position shown in Figure 14 and move along the cutting grooves 17d, 17,1,.in'1peliing the waste material there.- `against and cutting the waste material against the grooves, from which it isstrained `with the- Water entering the shredding chamber, into the circulating or pumping chamber 156.

Spaced upwardly fromthe shredding ring 165 and on the side ofthe inlet 146 which is the inby side of said inlet in accordance with the direct-ion of rotation of the impeller 115 are :two deectors 183 and 184. The deflec.

f tors 183 and 184 are of a generally triangular shape in plan view, in the form of an inverted right angle triangle' with the vertical sideythereof facing the inlet passageway 146. The `delie'ctors 183 and 184 also project inwardly within the shredding chamber 145 as shown in Figure l5 to form angular deecting faces to deect particles of food awayfrom the inlet passageway 146, and to prevent thelodging ,of food particles therein.

'It should here be understood that in Figures 14 through `17, the shredding impeller 113 is rotating in a clockwise direction and that the overrunning clutch 105 drives this impcller to rotate in this direction only. For this reason thedeectors 170 in the shredding ring 165 and the detiecting vanes 183 and 184 .face the 4shredding impeller in thedirection of. rotation thereof to assure that flying particles of food are .deiiecteddownwardly ont-o sa-id impeller while the face of the shredding chamber 145on the oppo-Y site side of t-he inletl 146l is smooth. v

A suitable pumping means is provided for discharging water entering Vthe, shredding chamber 145 from the dishwashing tu-b through the, passageway 146, and for discharging ;water and ground particles of food entering the shredding ychamber 145 from the sink 15, which is shown in Figures 14 and l5 as comprising a plurality of pumping vanes 185, 185 project-ing downwardly from the shredding impeller 1.13 in to the water circulating or pumping charn- Vber 15,6, for impelling liquid and ground particles of food out of said pumping cham-ber through a discharge pas -sageway L86.

While I have herein shown the pumping venes a's being formedfintegrally with and depending from the impelier 1 13 into the pumping cham-ber 156, it may readily be understood that a separate pumping means m-ay beprovided in said chamber if desired, or that the pump may even be outside o f the pumping chamber for withdrawing liquid and particles Qffood therefrom. Y

Ilhe out-let 186 is shown in Figures 6, 10 and 11 as being connected with a pipe 187 leading downwardly in the form of gooseneek, to'provide a water tr-ap, and then connected with Va pipe 188 leading upwardly along the outer wall 28 of the tub 24, The pipe 188 turns downwardly at its upper end and is connected with an outlet pipe 189, which may be connected to the drain thro-ugh the Well 0f the Qebnet 10.

In opera-tion of the disposal unit, the cover 17 for the sink 15 may be opened to accommodate the scrap-ing of garbage into the sink 15. Assuming that the controls 23 are in a disposal posi-tion, when the cover 17 for the sink ^is open, a spray of water will flow downwardly along the sink through and along the duct 20 into the shredding chamber 1145. When the cover 17 is open the dishes may Ibe. bumped on the rubber bumper 21 to dislodge the fQQd; therefrom vand .may even be .rinsed by vthe Spr-av -if desi-regl, During the period of dislodging food. from the dishes,- the, shredding impeller 113. i-sv operated by the mo..-

tor l,95,to rotatein a clockwise direction; and shred the food along `the-cutting and strainer grooves 17,1, `171 for discharge through the pumping chamber anddischarge pipes 18-7 and 188. At the endof the disposal cycle the motor 95 will stop. At this time the dishes free lirom garbage may be placed in the rack-s 37 and 38, which may be moved into the sink along the tracks 41 andV 54 when loaded. The door 1|1 may then be. closed and the dishwashing operation may bei-initiated, the tub 24 being first partially filled with water to a level above the bottom of the `impeller 33 and the mot-or 9S then being started to rotateina direction oppositeto its direction or rotation when driving the shredding impeller 1,13. This will drive the dishwashing impeller 33 in a direction; which in Figure `6 is acounterclockwise direction, when looking downwardly onto said impeller t-o impel the hot wat-er upwardly through the dishes in the racks `3y'7 and 38. At the end of the dishwashing openation, the motor 9.5 stops. :Its direotionof rotation is then reversed, tod'ri-ve the impeller 1|13 and effect:V pumping of the water drained from the tub 42&4 upwardly alongthe pipe 1-87 to drain. At the same time, the drain val-ve 1,24 is opened under control of the cyclic-control means 213. r,

The dishwater thus drains directly through the shredding chamber 145 and pumping chamber 1,56. During the draining operation, the direction of rotation `of the motor 95 'being reversed to drain the spent dishwater from the pumping-,chamber 156 of the disposal V16,'the dishwashing impeller 33.will reverse its direction of ro,- tation and wash particles of food which may lodge on the screen 35, back vfromvsaid ,screen to pass to drain through the disposaltunit 16. As the spent'dishwater has been drained from the `tub 24, a rinsing .operation may then be effected, the` drain valve 124 may again be closed and the tub 29 be partially filled with water,tand the direction of the motor 95 be reversed to drive the dishwashing impeller 33 in a direction toy spray clear hot water over the dishes in `the 'racks 37 and 38. Atflter this operation the drain valve 124 may again .be opened and the direction of the motor 95 .be reversed, to again effect operation of the shredding impeller 113 to pump the spent rinsing water from the pumping chamber 156. The valve 124 remaining open, the direction of the motor 195Y may again be reversed to drive the impeller 33 in an impelling direction, for drying the dishes by airdrawn up the standpipe 31 and circulated by the pumping vane 117 and circulating blades 120, it` being understoodrthat during `the entire washing, rinsing and drying operation the immersion heatert39 is on bothto maintain the dishwashingwater hot and` to `heat the air for drying the dishes. v

r It should here be noted that during the drying and draining operations when the `drain valve 124` is `open that the vapor or zmoisture entering .the drain 30 andthe shredding chamber 145 of the disposal `unit will tend `to pass upwardly along the duct. 20 andthat the duct being relatively cool and outside'fof Vthe`.tub,.will serve las a condenser for the vapor, allowing .theco'ndensed -water to ow downwardly for discharge throughthe pumping chamber-i156. j

It will-be understood thatmodiiications and variations inthe present invention may be Aeffected'Withoutl departing from the spirit and scoperof the novel concepts thereu Iclaimfas'myinvention: r tu. i t

l. In a dishwasher, 'a cabinet havingafrontlopening door anda dishwashing tub therein "beneath the top of said cabinet, a disposal sink opening to the topof. said` cabinet separate from said dishwashing tub,a shredding chamber'adjacent the bottom of said cabinet in communication with said disposal sink and having an outlet for connection with a drain, :a rotary shredding impeller in said shredding chamber, a rotary dishwashing impeller in the bottom of saidtub for washing the dishes therein, a 'drain passage from 'saidt tub-intosaid'shred- I 10 ding chamber, separate drive shafts forsaid shredding and dishwashing impellersand` a single reversible motor for driving said shafts,'the drive to said shredding impeller having an overrunning clutch therein to drive said shredding impeller n'one direction of rotation of said motor only, and driving said shredding impeller in a direction to pump water from said tub through said drain passage.

v2. In a dishwasher, a cabinet having a dishwashing tub therein, a front opening door aiording access to said tub, a waste disposal sink opening to the top of said cabinet, a waste disposal unit adjacent the bottom of said cabinet and having a shredding chamber having communication with said waste disposal sink, a shredding impeller rotatably journaled in said shredding chamber, a dishwashing impeller rotatably mounted in the bottom of said tub, a motor in axial alignment with said dishwashing impeller for rotatably driving the same, a iiexible drive connection from said -motor to said shredding impeller for rotatably driving the same, said shredding impeller having pumping vanes thereon, a drain from said tub'through a wall of said shredding chamber, `and a second drain from the bottom of said shredding chamber for spent dishwater and comminuted particles of food. t

3. In a dishwasher, a cabinet, `a dishwashing tub within said cabinet, said cabinet having a front opening'door affording access to said tub, a disposal sink separate from said dishwashing tub, a waste disposal unit within said cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof and having a shredding chamber, a duct leading along a wall of said tub from said waste disposal sink to the top of said shredding chamber, a shredding impeller in said shredding chamber, a dishwashing impeller in the bottom of said tub, `means driving said dishwashing impeller in one direction for washing dishes and in anA opposite direction vduring `drain of the dishwater from said tub comprising aitording access to said tub, a garbage disposal sink` opening to the top of said cabinet, a Waste disposal unit Within said cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof having a shredding chamber, a shredding impeller rotatable in said shredding chamber, adjacent the bottom thereof, a

pumping chamber forming a downward continuation ofv said shredding chamber and extending beneath said irnpeller, pumping vanes on said impeller forforcing water` and` ground particles of food from said pumping chamber for discharge, a drain duct leading from the bot-l tom of said dishwashing tub to said shredding chamber for the discharge of spent dishwaterby said pumpingy vanes `through said pumping chamber,-and a condenser means for the vapor in thedishwat'er draining from said tub comprising a duct leading from said sink to said shredding chamber along the outside of said tub.

5. Ina combined dishwasher and waste disposal unit, a cabinet, a dishwashing tub within said cabinet, -a disposal vsink separate from said` dishwashing tub, a waste disposal unit within said cabinet 4adjacent the bottom `thereof and having a vertically extending shredding chamber,

a -drain duct leadingdownwardly from said sink to said shredding chamber, a pumping chamber forming a downwardly continuation of said shredding chamber and extending beneath Vsaid impeller, pumping vanes on` said impeller for forcing water and ground particles of food from said shredding and pumping chambers, a water spray in said sink, for flushingfood to said shredding chamber, a valvein said drain duct controlling the drain of dishwater from said tub to said shredding chamber, and said first mentioned vertically extending duct forming a condenser for vapor from the water draining from said dishwashing tub.

6.- In a combined dishwasher and waste disposal uni-t,

a cabinet, a dishwashing tub-within said cabinet, a disposal sink separate from lsaid dishwashingtub, a waste disposal unit adjacent the bottomof said cabinet having a shredding chamber, a shredding impeller in the bottom ofY said shredding chamber, a pumping chamber forming a downward continuation of said shredding chamber and extending beneath said impeller, pumping vanes on said impeller for-forcing water-and ground particles of food from said pumping chamber, a dishwashing impeller within said tub, a reversible motor having `a vertical shaft in axial alignment-with the axis of rotation of said impeller for rotatably driving the same in each direction of rotation of said motor, an overrunning clutch on the lower end of saidfshaft, a flexible drive connection from said clutch to said shredding impeller and pump for rotatably driving said shredding impeller in one direction of rotation @12 ing adishwashing tub thereinandfhavinga*frontiopening door affording Iaccess to-saidV tub, adisposalfsink in Ysaid cabinet and opening to the-top thereof, a'shredding charnber within saidcabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, a duct leading vertically fromsaid waste disposal sink to the top of said vshredding chamber, a rotatable impeller in said shredding chamber having cutting impellers projecting v upwardly therefrom and having pumping vanes projecting of said motor only, a drainduct leading from thc bottom .Y

ofsaid dishwashingtub to said shredding chamber for the discharge ofspent dishwater through said pumping chamber, and means for condensing vapor fromthe water draining from said dishwashing tub through said shredding chamber comprising a duct leading upwardly from said shredding chamber-to said sink along the outside of said tub.

7. A dishwasher comprising a cabinet having a `tub therein and having a frontY opening door affording access to said tub, a disposal sink opening to the top of said cabinet and separate from said tub, a Waste disposal unit adjacent the bottom of said cabinet and havinga shredding chamber, a duct leading directly from said disposal, sink to the top of said shredding chamber, a shredding impeller in the bottom o f said shredding chamber, a pumping chamber forming aid'ownward vcontinuation of said shredding chamber and extending beneath said impeller, pumpf' ing vanes onl saidlimpeller for forcing water and ground material from said pumping chamber for discharge to a sewer and the like, a dishwashing impeller in the, bottom of said tub, a screen encircling said dishwashing impeller and extending over the top thereof, a reversible motor having a verticalshaft in axialalignment with the axis of said dishwashing impeller for rotatably driving the same in each direction of rotation of said motor, an overrunning clutch on the lower end of said motor shaft, a exible drive connection from said clutch to said shredding irnpeller and pump for rotatably driving said shredding impeller and pump only when said motor is rotating in one direction, a drain duct leading from said tub to said shredding chamber for draining spent dishwater through said shredding chamber, and said dishwashingimpeller rotating in a direction opposite to a dishwashing direction upon rotation of said motor to drive said shreddingimpeller, and washing particles of food from said screenV upon rotation of said shredding impeller to drain spent dishwater from said tub.

8. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet having a dishwashing tub therein and having a front opening door aording access to saidtub, a waste disposal sinkV in said cabinet opening to the top'thereof, a shredding chamber at the lower end of said cabinet beneaththe b ottom of said tub and having a shredding impeller therein having pumping vanes thereon for pumping particles of 1 comminuted food from said shredding chamber, aV duct leading directly from said sink to the top of said, shredding chamber, a drain duct leading from the Ibottomof-said tub and openinginto said chamber through the wallthereof in vertically spaced relation with respect to said shredding impeller for the discharge of spent dishwater through said shredding chamber bythe action of said pump, and

a detiecting segment extending inwardly from the wall of said shredding chamberv on the inby side of said opening into said shredding chamber in the direction of rotation of said shredding impeller, to deflect particlesy of food from said drain duct from said dishwashing tub.

9. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinethaydownwardlyrtheref-rom for pumping water and particles of ground-food from said pumping chamber, means for driving said rotatable impeller, a drain duct leading from said tub and opening into said shredding chamberV through the'wall thereof, above said shredding impeller, and two spaceddeiiecting segments extending inwardly from the Ywall of said shredding chamber on the inby side of said opening for draining dishwater from Vsaid-tub for deflecting particles` of food from said opening downwardly onto said shredding impeller.

yl0. In a dishwasherra tub having a dishwashing impeller-inthebottom thereof, a reversible motor having a vertical-motor shaftr having direct drive connection with said impeller' in both directions of rotation thereof, a waste disposal unit having a shredding chamber located beneath thebottom offsaid tuby and to one side thereof and having a shredding impeller rotatably journaled for rotationV in said shredding chamber adjacent the bottom thereof, said'- shredding impeller having impelling cutters projecting upwardlytherefrom along the rim-thereof and having pumpingvanes projeetingdownwardly therefrom for discharging water and ground particles of `food from said shredding chamber, a drain duct leading from the bottom' of ysaid tub-through the wall of said shredding chamber for the discharge of spent dishwater from said tub into said shredding chamber, and a flexible drive connection from said motor to said shredding impeller for driving saidv shreddingimpeller only when said motor is rotating-in a directioni opposite to its-direction of rotation for drivingr said dishwashing impeller in adirection to wash dishes for draining-water from said tub and for comminuting waste material discharged invsaid sink.

ll-In a dishwasher, a tub having a dishwashing impellerin the bottom'thereof; a reversible rnotor beneath said tubV havinga vertical motor'shaft extending upwardly into said tub and forming a support for said impeller and rotatablydriving-the same, a screen surrounding said dishwashingimpeller and extending over the top thereof, a waste disposal unit having a shredding chamber disposed beneath the bottom of said tub having a shredding impeller rotatably journaled therein having impelling cutters projecting upwardly therefrom and pumping vanes dependingtherefrom, a drain duct leading from theV bot tom of said tub through the wall of said shredding chambel' for dischargingb drain water from said tub therein, an overrunning clutch on the lower end of said motor shaftanda flexible drive connection from said yclutch to said shredding impeller for rotatably driving the same when said motor is rotating in a direction opposite to its direction for driving,l said dishwashing impeller in a dishwashing direction, whereby said shredding impeller may pumpV spent dishwater from said tub, and said dishwashing, impeller` when driven in a Adirectionopposite to its dishwashing, direction, backwashing particles of food from said'screen lfor discharge through said drain.

12. A waste disposal unit particularlyV adapted forv a combined dishwasher and disposal comprising a shredding chamber havingk an. opening in its top for waste food and having a shredding ring adjacent its bottom having a plurality ofrspaced deflectors therein, a rotatable shredding impeller in association with saidj shredding ring having impelling cuttersjthereom and also having pumping vanes depending therefrom, a drainopening in the wall ofsaid shredding chambery abovesaid shredding ring adapted for connection witha dishwasher'and the like for accommodating dishwaterzto be pumped therefrom through said shredding,` chamber, by said t shredding impeller uponma tation of said shredding impeller in a pumping direction, and means projecting inwardly from't-he wall of said shredding chamber for deflecting waste food particles away from said drain opening.

13. A waste disposal unit particularly adapted for a combined dishwasher and disposal comprising a shredding chamber having an opening in its top for waste food and having a shredding impeller journaled in the bottom thereof for rotation -about a vertical axis, said shredding impeller having impelling cutters projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent the rim thereof and having pumping vanes depending therefrom for pumping water and ground particles of food from said shredding chamber, an inlet for spent dishwater opening through the wall of said shredding chamber spaced above said shredding impeller for connection with a dishwasher tub, for accommodating dishwater to be pumped therefrom through said shredding chamber upon rotation of said shredding impeller in a pumping direction, and deector vanes projecting inwardly from the wall of said shredding chamber on the inby side of said drain opening leading thereinto in accordance with the direction of rotation of said shredding impeller for deflecting waste particles of food from said drain opening downwardly onto said impeller.

14. A waste disposal unit particularly adapted for a combined dishwasher and disposal comprising a vertically extending shredding chamber having an opening in its top for waste food and having a rotatable shredding impeller in the bottom thereof having impelling cutters projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent the rim thereof and also having pumping vanes depending therefrom, a shredding ring within said shredding chamber in association with said shredding impeller and having spaced deectors therein facing in a direction opposite to the direction yof rota-tion of said impeller for deflecting particles of food onto said impeller, an opening in the wall of said chamber above said shredding ring adapted for connection with a dishwasher and the like for accommodating spent dishwater to be pumped therefrom by said shredding impeller, and deecting vanes projecting inwardly from the wall of said chamber above said shredding impeller for deecting waste particles of food from said drain opening, said deecting vanes being arranged on the inby side of said drain opening in accordance with the direction of rotation of said impeller and being generally triangular in form and the apices thereof facing said shredding impeller.

15. In a waste disposal unit particularly adapted for a combined dishwasher and waste disposal comprising a vertically extending shredding chamber having a wastereceiving opening in the top thereof and having a shredding impeller journaled for rotation in the bottom thereof, said shredding impeller being in the general form of a disk having a generally flat top with spacedA impellers projecting upwardly therefrom inwardly from the rim thereof and having spaced centrifugally actuated impellers extending upwardly therefrom along the rim thereof and biased inwardly by gravity and moving outwardly by centrifugal force, a shredding ring within said chamber '14 in association with said impeller having a plurality of vertically extending spaced cutting grooves formed therein in association with said cutting impellers, a drain opening leading through the wall of said shredding chamber above said shredding ring and adapted for connection with a dishwasher and accommodating said shredding impeller to pump spent dishwater through said drain and shredding chamber, and means projecting inwardly from the wall of said shredding chamber for deecting waste food particles away from said drain opening.

16. In a dishwasher, a tub having an impeller rotatably journaled in the bottom thereof, a reversible motor beneath said tub and having a motor shaft having direct drive connection with said impeller for rotatably driving the same, a screen encirclingy said impeller and extending over the top thereof, a drain opening from the bottom of said tub spaced from said impeller and screen, a pump for draining water from said tub, said impeller impelling washing liquid within said tub for washing dishes when rotating in one direction and backwashing said screen when rotating in an opposite direction, and a one way drive connection to said pump for driving said pump to drain said tub when said motor is rotating in a direction to drive said impeller to backwash said screen.

17. In a dishwasher, a tub, a rotatable impeller journaled in the bottom of said tub for circulating liquid and air therethrough, a motor beneath said tub having a motor shaft having direct supporting and drive connection with said impeller, said impeller having a hollow hub having a dome-like imperforate outer periphery, a standpipe encircling said motor shaft and opening through the bottom of said tub and extending upwardly Within the hollow interior of said hub, a plurality of spaced liquid circulating blades spaced around said hub and curving downwardly from the top to the bottom thereof in a spiral path and facingin the direction of rotation of said impeller, and an air circulating vane within said hub at the discharge end of said standpipe for drawing air upwardly through said standpipe and expelling the same from the bottom of said hub. v

18. In a dishwasher, a tub, a rotatable impeller for circulating liquid and air throughout the tub journaled in the bottom of saidy tub, a motor beneath said tub having a drive shaft connected to said impeller for rotating the impeller, said impeller having circumferentially extending imperforate walls forming an open bottomed hollow interior, a tubular standpipe sleeve around said shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of said tub and into the hollow interior of said impeller, liquid circulating vane means on the outside of said impeller for circulating liquid throughout the tub during a washing cycle, and air circulating vane means on said impeller in the hollow interior thereof for drawing air upwardly through said sleeve and for expelling the air outwardly of the hollow interior of the impeller through the open bottom thereof into the tub during a drying cycle.

No references cited. 

